Today was our tenth day in Birmingham! I was able to get good sleep the night before and the start of our day today was not too early. I had an enjoyable breakfast before heading to the bus to go to the Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust. Once we arrived, we were able to grab a coffee or water before heading into a meeting room. In this room we were told about what the Mental Health Trust is and what they do along with how they get into this type of career. Then, we were asked if we had any questions and they wrote them down in a notebook to answer after they give brief presentations about the branches of the Trust. The branches are mother and baby, eating disorders, forensics, hard of hearing, etc. These are all specialty branches that are not offered at all mental health institutions. I thought it was amazing that they had a branch for mothers who may be going through postpartum depression or postpartum psychosis and need the support and help to get through they difficult time. It is great because they also allow the mothers to have their babies there as well because during the beginning stages of a baby’s life attachment is the most important thing. I also found the branch for individuals that are hard of hearing so interesting. I have never previously heard of a mental health trust having anything specifically for people hard of hearing, so it was great to learn about that. I personally am very interested in learning sign language, so I think that is fantastic that mental health nurses are learning to sign to better help their patients.

After we wrapped up with listening to the presentations and Q&A we got to go have lunch. We were able to all catch a ride with one of the nurses and it was so cool experiencing being in a car where everything looks like it is on the wrong side. Once we got to the other building that is a part of the Trust which focuses on dementia, we were given free vouchers to get a meal at their cantine. I wanted to get the mac n’ cheese (no surprise there) and chicken tenders, but once it was my turn to order it was already gone. I was super disappointed, but I ended up getting grilled chicken and mashed potatoes instead which were okay. Thankfully, one of the girls let me have the rest of her mac n’ cheese and honestly it was delicious. After lunch we headed to another meeting room where different workers within the Trust talked to us briefly and then we split up into groups to be guided through different dementia wards or the general building. I was really hoping to be in one of the groups that got to see the wards but sadly I only got to have a tour of the building and outpatient area. It was still interesting to see but I know I would have been a lot more interested if I saw one of the wards. Once the tours concluded we discussed essentially what we saw and did a brief Q&A. Then, we went back to the bus to either head back to the hotel or go somewhere else. I decided to go shopping at Primark with a few of the girls and I bought a few tank tops, then we walked over to the infamous Birmingham library. The library building itself is so unique and the inside was gorgeous with all of the bookshelves and pretty lights throughout the higher level of the building. We went up the elevator onto the 7th floor and walked around through the secret garden which was not as impressive as I had expected it to be. Then, we went up to the 9th floor which is the outlook and it was cool to be up that high, however, the view was not much to look at. We also looked through the Shakespeare room which consisted of pieces of his plays and various documents or letters he has written/signed. I thought this was a very cool room and I liked seeing all of the displays.

After the library we headed back to the hotel where my roommate and I packed our stuff in preparation for heading to London tomorrow. Afterwards, we met up with some of the other girls to get Slug & Lettuce for what I believe to be the fourth time. I got the nachos and later in the evening the mac n’ cheese. The nachos were great, but I wish they had more cheese on them or at least layered the toppings better. As for the mac n’ cheese it was so good, and I wish I had gotten it some of the other times that I have been there. Once we wrapped up with our dinner we headed to Opulence to finish off the night. I got one scoop of gelato in a waffle cone this time and it was good, but I was not able to finish it because of the meal I had.

Overall, today was a great final full day in Birmingham. I am sad to leave this place tomorrow, but at the same time I am happy to be able to explore London and see Mamma Mia!